Letter of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the United States of America

[goldmom]

Che was from Bolivia and went to Cuba.

I studied this stuff and not from the Catholic Church. I also lived it.

You lived in Brazil.
I’m also capable of studying stuff.

 

[ItsinourDNA]

What values of Jesus are detested by conservatives? Lawlessness? Forced wealth redistribution? confiscatory taxation? Killing babies in the womb?

I don't suppose you ever heard of a straw man?

Values of Jesus detested by conservatives:
Meekness, turning the other cheek
Empathy
Humility
opposition to the accumulation of great wealth.
Willingness to help others less fortunate.

Do I need to go on?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

I don't suppose you ever heard of a straw man?

Values of Jesus detested by conservatives:
Meekness, turning the other cheek
Empathy
Humility
opposition to the accumulation of great wealth.
Willingness to help others less fortunate.

Do I need to go on?

☝🏻This is the epitome of a straw man. Tired old leftist talking points. BTW, Jesus preached charity. The wealthiest people I know are also the most charitable.

 

[bcherod]

☝🏻This is the epitome of a straw man. Tired old leftist talking points. BTW, Jesus preached charity. The wealthiest people I know are also the most charitable.

LOLOL

You are in lala land.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

LOLOL

You are in lala land.

Nope. The real world. Never had a paycheck signed by a homeless guy. Never had a class in a building donated by a homeless guy either.

 

[theVoicefromtheTomb]

Jesus said to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I presently have no plans to travel to Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, etc., but if I did, I would enter through the proper ports of entry and comply with all applicable laws. I would also remain there no longer than authorized. I certainly wouldn’t sneak in and set up shop as though I owned the place. People entering the USA need to do the same, and those who haven’t need to leave and come back in the legal way.

Do you think Jesus would recognize borders between people?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Do you think Jesus would recognize borders between people?

In today’s world? Absolutely.

 

[kwik44]

There was another thread, but it got taken down, though i'm honestly at a bit of a loss for why compared to much of the board.

Not posting as a link is probably why it was removed.

 

[Aardvark86]

In other words…she was hot and she was Catholic.

A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.

not so hot that i didn't think about it for 30 years

 

[Aardvark86]

Actually the Jesuits were the educators. They were sent early on by the French and Spanish. The colonies at the time were mostly Protestant, except for Maryland.

Their goal was to Christianize the Natives. Prior to the French and Indian War, and the revolution, colonists were not allowed to cross the Appalachians.

Meanwhile the French came down through Canada for fur trading. So the Jesuits were hanging out there near the Mississippi River to the north.

Jesuits are really interesting animals. It's probably not unfair to say that today's jesuits are not the jesuits of old, who were kinda more like marines. Catholicism is much more diverse than people give it credit for in terms of its approaches, but the Ignatian spiritual exercises are probably more "worldly-focused" than most more mainstream forms, and it really plays out in their lives. (Just last week I went to a lecture on science and faith by the head of the vatican observatory, a jesuit brother, and it was actually kind of refreshing as they seem to be less afraid of saying something wrong than many other religious do.)

And they're still damn good at running educational institutions, marketing them through athletics, and running fundraisers for them. My son went to Gonzaga here in DC, and if I could send a thousand kids there, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Probably the only high school in the country with a men's homeless shelter in the basement, staffed by the boys at meals who get to talk to them about the nuts and bolts of how they really ended up on the street. They bring a certain compassion to balance the academic and theological rigors of the place.

 

[bcherod]

Jesuits are really interesting animals. It's probably not unfair to say that today's jesuits are not the jesuits of old, who were kinda more like marines. Catholicism is much more diverse than people give it credit for in terms of its approaches, but the Ignatian spiritual exercises are probably more "worldly-focused" than most more mainstream forms, and it really plays out in their lives. (Just last week I went to a lecture on science and faith by the head of the vatican observatory, a jesuit brother, and it was actually kind of refreshing as they seem to be less afraid of saying something wrong than many other religious do.)

And they're still damn good at running educational institutions, marketing them through athletics, and running fundraisers for them. My son went to Gonzaga here in DC, and if I could send a thousand kids there, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Probably the only high school in the country with a men's homeless shelter in the basement, staffed by the boys at meals who get to talk to them about the nuts and bolts of how they really ended up on the street. They bring a certain compassion to balance the academic and theological rigors of the place.

People don’t realize the Jesuit universities in the country. Villanova, Fordham, BC, etc.
Many of my Catholic friends attended those, and later law school at another.

 

[doughuddl2]

Frank should work on his homeland of Italy first. Hypocrite.

 

[bcherod]

Frank should work on his homeland of Italy first. Hypocrite.

His homeland is Argentina.

Posts like this really show the ignorance of MAGA.

 

[Aardvark86]

People don’t realize the Jesuit universities in the country. Villanova, Fordham, BC, etc.
Many of my Catholic friends attended those, and later law school at another.

you know, it's funny, i got my law degree before i got my catholicism, but in thinking about it, my leaning toward originalism in interpretation is actually pretty similar to how the church thinks of 'tradition'.

 

[Aardvark86]

His homeland is Argentina.

Posts like this really show the ignorance of MAGA.

...and his current jurisdiction is (at least) global

 

[hexumhawk]

Christianity isn't a race to "out-nice" others. Most people have put the 2nd commandment above the 1st.

The sooner that we see some white smoke billowing, the better.

 

[Rifler]

My favorite part about american catholics is how they believe that they know more about their faith than the fuqin pope.

Not surprising,... Most American Catholics don't subscribe to all elements of the Vatican cult,.. Faith is a very personal thing, and it can only be truly understood by the individual...

 

[Aardvark86]

Not surprising,... Most American Catholics don't subscribe to all elements of the Vatican cult,.. Faith is a very personal thing, and it can only be truly understood by the individual...

Actually, the more likely reason for this surprise is the ignorant belief among many non-Catholics that every Catholic thought rises to the level of infallible doctrine that is settled and not subject to dispute. The reality is, there's actually not that much doctrine of that nature (though certainly more than methodism), and we're actually allowed to think for ourselves and consider variations on the theme, both within and without the realm of "theology" strictly speaking.

 

[BelemNole]

Actually, the more likely reason for this surprise is the ignorant belief among many non-Catholics that every Catholic thought rises to the level of infallible doctrine that is settled and not subject to dispute. The reality is, there's actually not that much doctrine of that nature (though certainly more than methodism), and we're actually allowed to think for ourselves and consider variations on the theme, both within and without the realm of "theology" strictly speaking.

Recovering Catholic.

American Catholics reject any comments by the pope that doesn't match their ideology more than any other group.

 

[Aardvark86]

Recovering Catholic.

American Catholics reject any comments by the pope that doesn't match their ideology more than any other group.

...which, per above, unfortunately more often than not involve comments that they are perfectly free to reject under the construct described above.

And of course, the "rejection" of something in the political/civil realm does not necessarily entail a rejection of it in the moral one.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

American Catholics reject any comments by the pope that doesn't match their ideology more than any other group.

Those are called devout Catholics by the media or Biden Catholics by the rest of us...

 

[fivecardstud14]

Very much enjoy the breitbart boys trying to talk religion & their version of Catholicism. Gets funnier by the year.

 

[Odinorske]

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/02/archbishop-vigano-exposes-why-pope-francis-is-pushing/

The Catholic Church is making billions off of illegal immigration.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Those are called devout Catholics by the media or Biden Catholics by the rest of us...

Cafeteria Catholics.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

I wonder if Francis knows that there's been a wall around the Vatican since the 9th century to keep the invaders out?

 

[Tom Paris]

Anything in all that BS about abortion is a sin and gay marriage is banned?

Funny how the Dims are now posting letters from the Holy Fathers who are now their comrades. 😆

Desperate times indeed.

You remain…an idiot. How many foster children did you say you have?

 

[jneffer]

I wonder if Francis knows that there's been a wall around the Vatican since the 9th century to keep the invaders out?

that wall isn't very effective...this infidel made it through once

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

Probably beating @BrianNole777 to the punch on this one.

Dear Brothers in the Episcopate,

I am writing today to address a few words to you in these delicate moments that you are living as Pastors of the People of God who walk together in the United States of America.

1. The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person. [1]

2. These words with which I begin are not an artificial construct. Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel (cf. Mt 1:23); he did not live apart from the difficult experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and from the experience of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of immigration. I like to recall, among other things, the words with which Pope Pius XII began his Apostolic Constitution on the Care of Migrants, which is considered the “Magna Carta” of the Church’s thinking on migration:

“The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.” [2]



3. Likewise, Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception. In fact, when we speak of “infinite and transcendent dignity,” we wish to emphasize that the most decisive value possessed by the human person surpasses and sustains every other juridical consideration that can be made to regulate life in society. Thus, all the Christian faithful and people of good will are called upon to consider the legitimacy of norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa.

4. I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.

5. This is not a minor issue: an authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized. The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable. This does not impede the development of a policy that regulates orderly and legal migration. However, this development cannot come about through the privilege of some and the sacrifice of others. What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.

6. Christians know very well that it is only by affirming the infinite dignity of all that our own identity as persons and as communities reaches its maturity. Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups. In other words: the human person is not a mere individual, relatively expansive, with some philanthropic feelings! The human person is a subject with dignity who, through the constitutive relationship with all, especially with the poorest, can gradually mature in his identity and vocation. The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (cf. Lk 10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. [3]

7. But worrying about personal, community or national identity, apart from these considerations, easily introduces an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth.

8. I recognize your valuable efforts, dear brother bishops of the United States, as you work closely with migrants and refugees, proclaiming Jesus Christ and promoting fundamental human rights. God will richly reward all that you do for the protection and defense of those who are considered less valuable, less important or less human!

9. I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all.

10. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect individuals and families who live in fear or pain due to migration and/or deportation. May the “Virgen morena”, who knew how to reconcile peoples when they were at enmity, grant us all to meet again as brothers and sisters, within her embrace, and thus take a step forward in the construction of a society that is more fraternal, inclusive and respectful of the dignity of all.

Fraternally,

Francis

From the Vatican, 10 February 2025

 

[MichaelKeller99]

The Vatican City State has toughened sanctions for those who try to illegally enter its territory in areas where free access is not allowed.

In a decree issued last month by the Holy See, the monetary sanctions and prison sentences for those who violate the strict security regulations of Vatican City have been considerably increased.

The document, signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérguez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, provides for monetary fines ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 euros (about $10,200 to $25,700) and prison sentences ranging from one to four years.

Vatican cracks down on illegal entry into its territory

The Vatican City State has toughened sanctions for those who try to illegally enter its territory in areas where free access is not allowed.

www.catholicnewsagency.com